Dear Colleague,

As we begin fall quarter, I felt it important to pause and remember the life of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This weekend, I know I have been thinking of the body of her work. She said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” Her work focused on ensuring women and men had equal citizenship as fundamental constitutional rights. We are better as a society because of her work. 

As our country grapples with how to address longstanding racial injustice, her life provides an amazing model of how to live with sharp reason, care, and empathy. She was a woman of extreme intelligence, who inspired those around her to live more fully into their humanity. She was a gracious person to those who doubted her abilities because her character and values were unwavering. 

Justice Ginsburg said, “[I would like to be remembered as] someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability. And to help repair tears in her society, to make things a little better through the use of whatever ability she has.” 

Thank you, Justice Ginsburg for a life lived doing your very best for our nation. 

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President
Office of the President

This fall, Shoreline is offering a new 15-credit Criminal Justice Advocacy Certificate (CJAC) certificate.

The first of its kind in the nation, the fully online certificate is designed for people working or planning to work in or alongside the criminal justice system who want to advocate for vulnerable populations and find effective ways to work with different professions to improve the criminal justice system. 

Read more about the certificate on the College’s news blog.

DSHS’s most recent Community Partner Connection Newsletter featured an article on a student in Shoreline’s Purchasing & Supply Chain Management program. The article highlights how the stackable certificates are helping the student go at his own pace to transition from a job in food service to a position in the rapidly growing field of purchasing and supply chain management. Read the article in the Summer 2020 issue (scroll down to page 8).

Student Life is putting together an “I Vote Because…” social media campaign to promote engagement around the upcoming elections. We would like to highlight faculty/staff who are role-modeling civic responsibility by sharing why you vote. 

Here are two ways that you can participate: 

Option 1: Download the sign above, write a short message about the reason why you vote on it, and take a photo of yourself holding the sign.

Option 2: Send in a photo of yourself (can be with family or pets if you want) as well as a quote answering the following “I Vote Because…”

Please note: This is not meant to be an opportunity to express you personal political views. We are trying to encourage students to exercise their right to vote regardless of how they vote. I know this can be challenging, but we appreciate you keeping your messaging non-partisan.

If you are interested in participating, please your quote/photo to smusnicki@shoreline.edu by Monday, Oct. 5 at 5pm.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dear Colleague,

It is time for us to turn our attention to two annual traditions our campus community celebrates with great anticipation and excitement: Fall Convocation (Reimagine Possible) and Opening Week.

This year, how we experience our campus community may feel different as we continue with primarily remote operations. Although most of us have been away from the physical campus for six months, we are grateful for a small group of colleagues who come to campus regularly to support our operations and our students. Students continue to share stories about the excellent learning and quality service they have received from Shoreline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each one of us is continuing to carry the Shoreline spirit into the interactions we have with colleagues, students, and the public, regardless of where our work is located. And, for that, I am so grateful.

This year’s Opening Week will take place September 17-23 in a way that reflects our new work style and will help us prepare for the year ahead:

• Thursday, September 17 – The week will begin with academic division meetings via Zoom for faculty and staff to reconnect, set the tone, and plan for the upcoming academic year.
• Friday, September 18 – We will come together virtually for Fall Convocation from 8-10 a.m. Based on input from faculty, classified staff, admin/exempt staff, and union leadership, Fall Convocation will be shortened to just two hours but will include many of the familiar pieces we’ve come to cherish: time to gather and connect, employee recognition awards, introductions to our newest employees, and my remarks that will provide context for our academic year together. New this year will be learning opportunities offered during the afternoon.
• Monday, September 21 & Tuesday, September 22 – The week will conclude with professional learning opportunities and time-honored gatherings that anchor us and help us prepare for the first day of the quarter. The week will be filled with the following themes: Online Learning and Support; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Campus Essentials.

Opening Week will engage, inspire, and prepare us to serve our students in new ways. I want to thank those who have come alongside this work to create great opportunities for us to gather, learn, and be with one another, even though we will be physically apart.

The Opening Week schedule is now available on SharePoint so you can plan for how you will take part and engage. I look forward to seeing you throughout the week, as we find new ways to keep the Shoreline experience special!

With great appreciation,
Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President